The Sheepcote guidebook
Sightseeing
Created by writer Vita Sackville West & her diplomat husband Harold Nicholson in the 1930's this garden consists of many different "rooms" the most famous of which is the White Room
186 locals recommend
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Biddenden RdCreated by writer Vita Sackville West & her diplomat husband Harold Nicholson in the 1930's this garden consists of many different "rooms" the most famous of which is the White Room
Hire bikes and cycle the 13 miles around this man made reservoir. You can walk it, stopping halfway for a well-deserved lunch at The Bull at Three Leg Cross
168 locals recommend
Bewl Water
Bewlbridge LaneHire bikes and cycle the 13 miles around this man made reservoir. You can walk it, stopping halfway for a well-deserved lunch at The Bull at Three Leg Cross
The tallest smock mill in the UK, it has been restored to working condition and is often open to visitors in the summer months.
9 locals recommend
Cranbrook Union Windmill
Russells YardThe tallest smock mill in the UK, it has been restored to working condition and is often open to visitors in the summer months.
Bedgebury Pinetum has the most complete collection of conifers on one site in the world
Also home to Go Ape treetop adventure and cycling, walking and running trails
189 locals recommend
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury RoadBedgebury Pinetum has the most complete collection of conifers on one site in the world
Also home to Go Ape treetop adventure and cycling, walking and running trails
Scotney Castle is an English country house with formal gardens
131 locals recommend
National Trust - Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle is an English country house with formal gardens
Bodiam Castle is a 14th century moated castle built in 1385 to defend the area during the 100 years war
276 locals recommend
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle is a 14th century moated castle built in 1385 to defend the area during the 100 years war
Explore Broadcloth and boot-making, rare birds and rope-making. See costumes, mangles, and hop picking. Visit the Cranbrook colony of Artists along with archive resources for family and local history. All housed on three floors of a 15th century building
8 locals recommend
Cranbrook Museum
Carriers RoadExplore Broadcloth and boot-making, rare birds and rope-making. See costumes, mangles, and hop picking. Visit the Cranbrook colony of Artists along with archive resources for family and local history. All housed on three floors of a 15th century building
Food scene
Wine tasting and tours of the estate followed by a seasonal sharing platter made with delicious local produce
41 locals recommend
Balfour Winery
Five Oak LaneWine tasting and tours of the estate followed by a seasonal sharing platter made with delicious local produce
An amazing farm shop with an in house butchery, deli and bakery literally down the road from The Sheepcote. There is also a fishmongers on site. Plenty of parking.
The Coffee House is open for delicious breakfasts & lunches 7 days a week.
13 locals recommend
Hartley Coffee House and Farm Shop
Hartley RoadAn amazing farm shop with an in house butchery, deli and bakery literally down the road from The Sheepcote. There is also a fishmongers on site. Plenty of parking.
The Coffee House is open for delicious breakfasts & lunches 7 days a week.
A traditional 14th century pub serving food at lunch and dinner close to The Sheepcote
11 locals recommend
The Peacock Inn
Shortbridge RoadA traditional 14th century pub serving food at lunch and dinner close to The Sheepcote
Named as one of the best restaurants in Kent The Smallholding has been awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy for a second year in a row! The Smallholding is less than 10 minutes drive from The Sheepcote
36 locals recommend
The Small Holding
Ranters LaneNamed as one of the best restaurants in Kent The Smallholding has been awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy for a second year in a row! The Smallholding is less than 10 minutes drive from The Sheepcote
Housed in a 15th century weavers cottage in Biddenden The West House is a Michelin starred restaurant serving European food
31 locals recommend
The West House
28 High StHoused in a 15th century weavers cottage in Biddenden The West House is a Michelin starred restaurant serving European food
A characterful freehouse pub that frequently wins awards from the Good Pub Guide. It's our favourite local for its great food and selection of beers
35 locals recommend
The Three Chimneys
Hareplain RoadA characterful freehouse pub that frequently wins awards from the Good Pub Guide. It's our favourite local for its great food and selection of beers
The Great House
Traditional country pub with orangery serving delicious ood
Gastropub close to The Sheepcote owned by The Hush Heath Estate. It has a stone pizza oven as well as a great menu and outside space
7 locals recommend
Goudhurst Inn
Cranbrook RoadGastropub close to The Sheepcote owned by The Hush Heath Estate. It has a stone pizza oven as well as a great menu and outside space
Have a garden influenced breakfast or lunch in Victorian glasshouses. The walled garden was once the kitchen garden to the "big house" (now St Ronan's school) whose owners acquired their wealth by inventing the stock cube!
8 locals recommend
Water Lane
Water LaneHave a garden influenced breakfast or lunch in Victorian glasshouses. The walled garden was once the kitchen garden to the "big house" (now St Ronan's school) whose owners acquired their wealth by inventing the stock cube!
The Milkhouse is a gastropub with a lively bar, large terrace & a wood-fired pizza oven
50 locals recommend
The Milk House
The StreetThe Milkhouse is a gastropub with a lively bar, large terrace & a wood-fired pizza oven
The Woodcock Inn
Woodcock LaneLittle country pub with lots of circular walks around it
Traditional pub on the village green serving food and a pint with inglenooks and beams in a 17th century building. Sunday carvery is a must!
13 locals recommend
The Bull at Benenden
5 The StTraditional pub on the village green serving food and a pint with inglenooks and beams in a 17th century building. Sunday carvery is a must!
Entertainment & Leisure
Local boutique cinema with HD projection & sound. You can even take a glass of your favourite tipple in with you when you watch the film. Also has a great cafe
31 locals recommend
Kino Hawkhurst
Rye RoadLocal boutique cinema with HD projection & sound. You can even take a glass of your favourite tipple in with you when you watch the film. Also has a great cafe
One of the most beautiful fisheries in Kent Hawkhurst Fish farm is a place for carp fishing, with a choice of 7 lakes, a cafe and pottery there is something for everyone.
16 locals recommend
Hawkhurst Fish Farm
Hastings RoadOne of the most beautiful fisheries in Kent Hawkhurst Fish farm is a place for carp fishing, with a choice of 7 lakes, a cafe and pottery there is something for everyone.
Local leisure centre with swimming pool, gym, tennis courts & fitness classes
The Weald Sports Centre
Angley RoadLocal leisure centre with swimming pool, gym, tennis courts & fitness classes
Pay & play 18 hole golf course, set in rolling countryside. The course has many elevations, lakes and ditches to catch out the unwary, but the wide fairways are quite forgiving.
6 locals recommend
Weald of Kent Golf Course & Hotel
Maidstone RoadPay & play 18 hole golf course, set in rolling countryside. The course has many elevations, lakes and ditches to catch out the unwary, but the wide fairways are quite forgiving.
A family run business based on 250 acres overlooking Bewl Water in Flimwell with broad range of outdoor pursuits including helicopter rides, quad bikes, Honda Pilots, and country sports such as archery and clay pigeon shooting.
6 locals recommend
Arena Pursuits
A family run business based on 250 acres overlooking Bewl Water in Flimwell with broad range of outdoor pursuits including helicopter rides, quad bikes, Honda Pilots, and country sports such as archery and clay pigeon shooting.
Go Ape is the UK’s number one forest adventure. Days out at Go Ape are about living life more adventurously, having fun with friends and family and getting in touch with your inner Tarzan
39 locals recommend
Go Ape Bedgebury
Bedgebury LaneGo Ape is the UK’s number one forest adventure. Days out at Go Ape are about living life more adventurously, having fun with friends and family and getting in touch with your inner Tarzan
Food Shopping
Co-op Food - Cranbrook
High StreetClosest supermarket
Local supermarket with in-store bakery, fish and meat counter. Also has a post office
21 locals recommend
Waitrose & Partners
Mont St Aignan WayLocal supermarket with in-store bakery, fish and meat counter. Also has a post office
Tesco Metro
Rye RoadLocal supermarket
City/town information
Tenterden is a mix of Georgian, Victorian and little beamed cottages. Visit the town’s museum or take a nostalgic ride in a steam train on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, admiring the countryside as you steam along to Bodiam Castle. Then take a tour and tasting at nearby Chapek Down Vineyard and relax with a glass of wine.
108 locals recommend
Tenterden
Tenterden is a mix of Georgian, Victorian and little beamed cottages. Visit the town’s museum or take a nostalgic ride in a steam train on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, admiring the countryside as you steam along to Bodiam Castle. Then take a tour and tasting at nearby Chapek Down Vineyard and relax with a glass of wine.
Rye is a pretty town near the coast in East Sussex. In the centre, cobbled lanes like Mermaid Street are lined with medieval, half-timbered houses. The redbrick Lamb House was once owned by writer Henry James. Nearby, the tower of the Norman St. Mary’s Church overlooks the town.
There are lots of independent coffee shops and restaurants in Rye as well as loads of shops selling beautiful vintage items
388 locals recommend
Rye
Rye is a pretty town near the coast in East Sussex. In the centre, cobbled lanes like Mermaid Street are lined with medieval, half-timbered houses. The redbrick Lamb House was once owned by writer Henry James. Nearby, the tower of the Norman St. Mary’s Church overlooks the town.
There are lots of independent coffee shops and restaurants in Rye as well as loads of shops selling beautiful vintage items
Hastings Old Town blends an old-school seaside vibe with Tudor styling and a lively arts scene. Visit the Fishermen's Museum (entrance is free), the Bluereef Aquarium and the seafront funfair. The shingle beach features tall, wooden fishermen's huts. George Street is lined with quaint shops and lively pubs, while High Street is home to art galleries.
The photo shows a piece of art by the street artist Banksy.
183 locals recommend
Hastings
Hastings Old Town blends an old-school seaside vibe with Tudor styling and a lively arts scene. Visit the Fishermen's Museum (entrance is free), the Bluereef Aquarium and the seafront funfair. The shingle beach features tall, wooden fishermen's huts. George Street is lined with quaint shops and lively pubs, while High Street is home to art galleries.
The photo shows a piece of art by the street artist Banksy.
A magnet for the gentry and members of the Georgian Royal family, Tunbridge Wells became one of the most fashionable destinations of the 18th century. The elegance and atmosphere of this bygone era still remain in Royal Tunbridge Wells today. The health-giving waters of the spring still flow and the Pantiles, the famous colonnaded walkway, where the aristocracy once promenaded, is now home to a wonderful selection of high quality boutiques, specialist independent shops, bars and cafés.
150 locals recommend
Royal Tunbridge Wells
A magnet for the gentry and members of the Georgian Royal family, Tunbridge Wells became one of the most fashionable destinations of the 18th century. The elegance and atmosphere of this bygone era still remain in Royal Tunbridge Wells today. The health-giving waters of the spring still flow and the Pantiles, the famous colonnaded walkway, where the aristocracy once promenaded, is now home to a wonderful selection of high quality boutiques, specialist independent shops, bars and cafés.